Dining out in New York City has become increasingly difficult, with securing reservations at popular restaurants now at an all-time high. Over the past three years, the process has shifted from challenging to nearly unattainable for many eager diners.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, recently commented on the situation, noting that even restaurant owners struggle with the reservation process. “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into,” he said, adding that restaurateurs he has spoken to often have no tips to share on how to secure a table.
The New York state legislature addressed this competitive landscape last month by voting to ban third-party booking sites such as Appointment Trader, where users had been reselling restaurant reservations for exorbitant prices, similar to the practices seen in concert and sporting event scalping.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, aimed at reducing reservation competition and protecting restaurants from costly cancellations.
Even with these new regulations, the demand for trendy and luxurious dining experiences remains overwhelming. “Post-COVID, everything is booked up,” says travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India. “Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full. How do you navigate getting people into fully booked venues?”
India, who has spent 16 years running Sienna Charles, a concierge service for the ultra-wealthy, emphasizes that successful access to top dining spots relies on understanding client preferences and building strong relationships with restaurants.
She observes a shift in dining preferences, stating, “People have moved away from fine dining. We rarely have clients interested in tasting menus. The trend is towards restaurants where the focus is more on the experience than the food. It’s about FOMO – the fear of missing out – and the status that comes with getting in.”
For those eager to chase their own bragging rights and willing to persist in securing a reservation, India shares insights into which New York restaurants are currently the hardest to access.